Wednesday, June 22, 2011

First-Ever Marijuana Legalization Bill Introduced in U.S. Congress

Cops Say the War on Marijuana Has Failed, Let States End Prohibition

WASHINGTON, DC -- The first-ever Congressional bill to let states legalize marijuana will be introduced in the U.S. House by a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers on Thursday, and a group of police and judges who fought on the front lines of the failed "war on drugs" is announcing its support.

Neill Franklin, a former Baltimore narcotics cop and executive director of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, said, "Clearly the 'war on drugs' has failed, and nowhere is that more clear than with respect to marijuana. It baffles me that we arrest nearly 800,000 people on marijuana charges in this country each and every year at taxpayer expense when we could instead be taking in new tax revenue from legal and regulated marijuana sales. Making marijuana illegal hasn't prevented anyone from using it, but it has created a huge funding source that funnels billions of dollars in tax-free profits to violent drug cartels and gangs. More and more cops now agree: Legalizing marijuana will improve public safety."

The bill's introduction comes in the wake of last week's 40th anniversary of President Richard Nixon declaring the "war on drugs," which the group of pro-legalization police officers commemorated by releasing a new report that they attempted to hand-deliver to Obama administration drug czar Gil Kerlikowske: http://www.CopsSayLegalizeDrugs.com/40years.

There are expected to be marijuana legalization initiatives on next year's ballots in at least three states: California, Colorado and Washington.

Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP) represents police, prosecutors, judges, federal agents and others who want to legalize and regulate drugs after fighting on the front lines of the "war on drugs" and learning firsthand that prohibition only serves to worsen addiction and violence. More info at http://www.CopsSayLegalizeDrugs.com.

So far, the only US Representative for the People of the USA to speak out against the bill, HB2306, is Rep. Lamar Smith, Chairman of the House Judiciary.

He has vowed to not let this bill, HB2306 even be considered by the House. His reasons (my take on his reasons): 1) Dangerous drug 2) Money into the pockets of the Mexican Cartels 3) Millions more will use this dangerous drug if legalized 4) Because I say so.

It was reported in the news, along with Rep. Barney Frank explaining the reasoning behind HB2306, that the reason the bill had no hope of passing was the House packed with republicans. Now I find that ironic, as Ron Paul is a Republican, and the house with republicans were elected due to vocal efforts of the Tea-Party.

So who exactly is the Tea-Party, if their Washington elects are opposed to legalization of cannabis? We'll have to wait and see - but as far as I understood the movement, the Tea-Party was for less intrusive, fiscally responsible, more science based government. HB2306 is exactly that so wouldn't all those new Republicans vote in favor of the bill?

As for Rep. Lamar Smith's threats, I heard he'll shortly resign and announce he's going into rehab for either sex or alcohol addiction. Don't know if true, but he does seem to have issues, personal ones.

Forgot to add... one of the co-sponsors of HB2306 is Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), also on the House Judiciary Committee. Their opposing votes would cancel out opposition to the bill in the Judiciary.

As Rep. Barney Frank puts it - the way I understand him, it's at least time for a dialog on the subject of legalization of cannabis on a federal level, even if the bill doesn't pass. He added: "If the threat of a Republican packed House meant the bill wouldn't pass, and why try?" He replied, "...in that case he might just as well take the next 6 months off because there would be no hope of passing any bills".

Here is why it will pass, the prohibition of my church sacrament is unconstitutional per this law:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Legislating medicine is a states rights issue.

I think it will pass with flying colors because I knew to legalize pot, all I had to do was bring my religion out of the closet. I think I have done that now.